Seventy finalists emerge in inaugural Abu Dhabi Visitor Experience Awards

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has selected 70 organisations and professionals from across the tourism ecosystem to compete for recognition of exceptional service and innovation.

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has announced the finalists for its inaugural Visitor Experience Awards, selecting 70 organisations and individuals from a field of approximately 350 applications. The Awards recognise the individuals and institutions that shape Abu Dhabi’s reputation for service excellence, honouring those who contribute to the seamless, sophisticated experiences that define the emirate’s tourism landscape.

The finalists span the breadth of Abu Dhabi’s tourism infrastructure. From those who guide visitors through cultural narratives, to the teams stewarding arrivals at aviation facilities, to hospitality professionals, restaurateurs, museum curators, and those orchestrating retail and mobility experiences, the shortlist reflects the interconnected ecosystem that sustains world-class tourism. Tour operators, cruise terminal staff and attraction managers similarly feature among the honoured finalists.

Eight distinct categories frame the competition across two streams. The Business Awards recognise Most Innovative Visitor Experience, Best Emirati Cultural Experience, Leader in Inclusive Experience and Business Resilience. The Frontliner Awards celebrate the Visitor Experience Superstar, the Unsung Hero, the Connectivity Champion and the Outstanding Tour Guide, as we reported in our earlier story on how Abu Dhabi’s guides transform visitor experiences.

The awards form a central pillar of the Department’s wider vision, reinforcing what was established through the Visitor Experience Guidelines released in September. By bringing together participants from different visitor touchpoints—from the moment of arrival to cultural immersion—the initiative solidifies a shared commitment to consistency and quality across every interaction.

A jury panel of 30 senior leaders and subject matter experts from both public and private sectors will now assess the finalists against established criteria. These specialists bring deep knowledge of visitor experience, tourism, hospitality and cultural stewardship, representing key touchpoints including museums, attractions, hotels, aviation and mobility services. The panel includes expertise in innovation, accessibility, organisational resilience and the art of guiding visitors through authentic encounters with Abu Dhabi’s heritage and contemporary culture.

At least three jury members will evaluate each entry. From this rigorous assessment, 24 winners will emerge across the eight categories, with first, second and third places recognised in each. The announcement ceremony will convene tourism sector leaders and stakeholders later this year, celebrating those whose work embodies the Department’s commitment to embedding a culture of excellence throughout Abu Dhabi’s tourism and cultural ecosystem.

What it means for Abu Dhabi

The Visitor Experience Awards represent a maturing of Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector, moving beyond individual excellence to create systemic standards of service quality. By recognising and rewarding exceptional practice across the entire visitor journey, the initiative strengthens the integration of experiences and sets benchmarks that elevate the emirate’s standing as a destination of sophistication and care.

For Abu Dhabi’s tourism professionals and organisations, the Awards provide both recognition and incentive, fostering the culture of continuous improvement that sustains the emirate’s vision of becoming a world-class tourism and cultural ecosystem. The competition reinforces that excellence is not confined to any single sector but distributed across every touchpoint where visitors encounter Abu Dhabi’s values of authenticity, inclusivity and service.

Source: WAM news agency